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I'm planning on buying a new compact fluorescent light fixture for my freshwater planted tank but the bulbs that come with it are 10,000K/Actinic. I tried to get the stores to exchange them for 6,700k because they are the same price, but none of the stores seem willing to do that. Now I'm wondering if I should just try the included bulbs, or if I definitely need the 6,700K ones. If I have to replace the bulbs I will be out $60 unless I can sell the old ones on Ebay or something. Anyone used 10,000k/Actinic on a planted tank before and what are the results as far as looks and plant growth?

5,500 - 6700K is really the the minimum for plants, some go higher (mine are 6500). Can you just order the fixture without the bulbs, and are you sure you can get bulbs locally (bulbs can lose some of their plant growth benefits after 6 months to a year).

My understanding is that 10,000 is just way too low for plants. The tank will be bright, just not the right type of bright for the plants.

^_^

i think that 10000K is too far from sunlight to be effective.
i use a strong (4 W/G) "daylight" (6500K) bulb. although it's far than optimal for plant growth, it is adequate (i checked it, and it is about 70-80% as efficient for plants as specialised bulbs. i compared the amplitude on the spectrum to get to that number).
if you do like i did, be aware that some fish hate such intense light. give them places to hide and be ready for such a possibility.

Just a note from the other side of the issue.....I have been using 10K/50% actinic bulbs on my FW tanks for over a year now and the plants grow quite well.

The actinic bulb will give the tank a bluish tint which will simulate deeper water. Some people like it, some don't. Plants do fine with it though (but algae does as well) The work especially well for deeper tanks that have a problem getting the light down to the bottom of the tank.

I would go ahead and try it; if you don't like it, sell the bulbs on E-bay or aqua-bid and then get the "correct" bulbs. Or you can check out http://www.hellolights.com for the right bulbs with the fixtures. HTH

Thanks everyone for the advice. I think I am going to go ahead and try it with the included bulbs and if it doesn't work out I'll just buy the right bulbs and try to sell the other ones. I just wish that they would sell the fixtures and the bulbs separately. All the major online retailers sell the fixtures with bulbs included and aren't willing to change the bulbs. There are so many different colors of bulbs and the likelihood of finding the right fixture with the right bulb is slim. With the fixture I want, the bulbs make up more than half the total cost of the package. If only there was some LFS that carried this stuff.... I would buy it from them and spend a bit more just to get some customer service

Oh, and it will only be 2.4 watts per gallon, so I hope the fish can handle it alright. It is a 55g US tank and the lights will be 2x65 watt.

[span class="edited"][Edited by MO 2004-08-25 11:17][/span]

I have a twin bulb setup for my 4ft (50g) tank. In total it is 80watts (1.6wpg) and currently it has a 6,700k and a 10,000k globes.

I am looking at getting some spares and was wondering about the globes for sale on this site - what rating are they? Also the service life of 15,000 hrs is that right? I thought you had to replace them every 10months or so.
Thanks.

Aqua-Glo Light Tube 48"

40 W
48" (122 cm)
Service Life - 15000 hours
Intensifies fish colors
Promotes plant growth
Photosynthetic growing lamp
Stimulates plants
Promotes color highlights in fish